San Mateo: San Jose juveniles in stolen car lead police on chase

SAN MATEO -- Four San Jose teens in a stolen car were arrested Wednesday after a police chase on Highway 101 that ended in Redwood City moments before the car burst into flames, police said.

An officer tried to pull the car over around 6:35 p.m. after spotting it driving recklessly near Fashion Island Boulevard and Highway 101 in San Mateo. Instead of stopping, the 14-year-old boy behind the wheel, got onto the freeway and headed south as police, with lights flashing and siren blaring, trailed him, San Mateo police Sgt. Dave Norris said.

The boy pulled off the freeway about six miles later on the Whipple Avenue exit in Redwood City and finally came to a stop on Walnut Avenue. Three boys and a girl, ranging in age from 13-16, were arrested and taken to San Mateo Juvenile Hall on charges including auto theft and evading police, Norris said. Their names were not released because they are minors.

Officers also found a replica handgun on the floor in the back of the car, which was smoking after the chase and then started on fire. No one was injured in the confrontation, Norris said.